Batter board construction

ABSTRACT

A batter board having a horizontal tubular cross member adjustably supported at opposite ends by U-shaped brackets on a pair of vertical metal posts adapted to be driven into the ground. Angle braces are mounted on opposite ends of the cross member adjacent the vertical posts and extend outwardly downwardly in a direction generally along the longitudinal axis of the cross member to provide reinforcement for the cross member in a longitudinal direction. A slide member is telescopically mounted on the cross member and is provided with an upwardly vertically extending transit sight and construction line tie pin. A separate locking screw is provided on the slide member for clamping the slide member in adjusted position on the cross member.

United States Patent 1 Jan. 21, 1975 BATTER BOARD CONSTRUCTION [76] Inventor: Kevin L. Am, 4645 Fourth St.,

N.W., Canton, Ohio 44708 [22] Filed: Apr. 22, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 462,803

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 359,546, May 11,

1973, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 33/86, 248/165 [51] Int. Cl E04g 21/18 [58] Field of Search 33/1 LE, 85, 86, 174 G;

52/155; 248/354 L, 226 R, 74 R, 156, 164, 432, 165; 211/182 Primary Examiner-Harry N. Haroian Assistant Examine rWillis Little Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frease & Bishop [57] ABSTRACT A batter board having a horizontal tubular cross member adjustably supported at opposite ends by U-shaped brackets on a pair of vertical metal posts adapted to be driven into the ground Angle braces are mounted on opposite ends of the cross member adjacent the vertical posts and extend outwardly downwardly in a direction generally along the longitudinal axis of the cross member to provide reinforcement for the cross member in a longitudinal direction. A slide member is telescopically mounted on the cross member and is provided with an upwardly vertically extending transit sight and construction line tie pin. A separate locking screw is provided on the slide member for clamping the slide member in adjusted position on the cross member.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BATTER BOARD CONSTRUCTION CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 359,546, filed May 11, 1973 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to devices for use in the construction of buildings and in particular to a device for securing and aligning building construction layout lines. More particularly, the invention relates to a batter board construction comprised of inexpensive, easily obtained and fabricated components which may be assembled easily at a building site and adjusted in both the horizontal and vertical directions to compensate for building changes, and which is provided with braces to reduce the critical longitudinal movement of the device.

2. Description of the Prior Art Batter boards are used in the construction of nearly every building for holding flexible layout lines of rope and cord which outline the building to be constructed to assist the carpenters, bricklayers, foundation erectors, etc. Usual batter board constructions consist of a pair of sharpened wooden stakes which are driven into the ground at spaced intervals with a horizontal wood cross member nailed to the end stakes, with a nail driven vertically into the center of the cross member to provide the tie point for the layout lines.

Such wooden batter boards provide no means of vertical adjustment for the cross member once the cross member is nailed to the vertical end posts. Likewise, horizontal adjustment of the tie point nail requires a new nail to be driven into the cross member. Many times for minor adjustment of the proposed building location or the addition of extra facing bricks and the like, a completely new batter board assembly must be constructed, since removal of existing wood. batter boards generally results in breaking of the driven stakes and cross member. This may involve eight or more batter boards since two batter boards usually are used for each corner of a building. Wooden batter boards generally are not reuseable due to such breakage upon removal. Also, the driving of the wooden support stakes is difficult where the installation is on asphalt, concrete or extremely hard, rocky surfaces.

Known types of reuseable metal batter board constructions such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,009 have disadvantages and undesirable features. Such constructions require special manufactured components which, if damaged, lost or stolen, are difficult and expensive to replace. Furthermore, no means are provided for restraining the cross member from longitudinal movement except by the vertical end support posts.

Prevention of such longitudinal movement is most important since shifting of the tie point even a slight amount will result in the wall of the building being out of alignment and joining the adjacent wall at an undesired angle. Slight movement in the forward transverse direction to the cross member will not produce error since the layout line remains in proper alignment.

Other types of known reuseable metal batter boards such as shown in British Pat. No. 700,207 consist of a pair of spaced metal strips riveted to vertical end posts which are hingedly joined to form a right angle when opened. Again, no bracing is provided for reducing movement of the cross member in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the sight-tie pin is integral with the horizontal slide locking mechanism which affects the tension in the layout lines during adjustment as well as interfering with a surveyors view.

No reuseable metal batter board construction of which I am aware has provided an inexpensive, durable assembly of readily available and replaceable metal components, which provides for both vertical and horizontal adjustments, as well as bracing the horizontal cross member to reduce longitudinal movement thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objectives of the invention include providing a batter board construction formed of reuseable, readilyfabricated metal components which are inexpensive to manufacture and assemble; providing a batter board construction having braces extending outwardly from the ends of the cross member in a generally longitudinal direction adapted to be driven into the ground at angles to reduce and nearly eliminate any movement of the cross member in the critical longitudinal direction; providing a batter board construction using bolts forming an adjustable U-shaped opening for mounting the cross member on the vertical end posts and angle braces, thereby permitting easy adjustment of the cross member in a vertical direction, and which enables the vertical posts and braces to vary in diameter according to the type of soil into which they are to be driven without affecting the clamping ability of the bolts; providing a batter board construction having an upwardly vertically extending sight pin on a slide member which moves along the cross member, and in which the pin is separate from locking bolt means on the slide member thereby permitting adjustment of the slide member along the cross member without affecting a flexible layout line tied to the pin, and without interfering with a surveyors sighting on the pin; and providing a batter board construction which eliminates difficulties heretofore encountered, achieves the stated objectives simply and effectively, solves problems and satisfies existing needs, and which is inexpensive, durable in use, and has readily-replaceable, interchangeable components.

These objectives and advantages are obtained by the batter board construction, the general nature of which may be stated as including, a hollow, tubular, rigid horizontal cross member having a rectangular crosssectional configuration; slide means mounted on the cross member and adapted for adjustable sliding movement along the cross member; pin means mounted on the slide means and projecting vertically upwardly from the slide means and cross member, the pin means being adapted as a tie point for a flexible construction line and as a transit sight point; locking bolt means mounted on the slide means and engageable with the cross member for locking the slide means in a selected adjusted position, the locking bolt means being separate from the pin means; a pair of vertical end posts mounting the cross member in a horizontal position, and being adapted to be driven into the ground to support the cross member; a pair of angle braces extending downwardly outwardly from the ends of the cross member in a direction generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cross member. and the angle braces being adapted to be driven into the ground to reduce longitudinal movement of the cross member; first and second bracket means adjustably connecting the vertical end posts and angle braces, respectively, to the cross member; the vertical end posts and angle braces being formed of metal and having a generally cylindrical shape; the bracket means forming adjustable U-shaped openings through which said end posts and angle braces extend, whereby the bracket means may receive end posts and angle braces of various diameters; the bracket means being .l-bolts each having a threaded shank end and a hook end, the hook end forming the U-shaped opening; the ends of the cross member being formed with a plurality of aligned holes with the threaded shank ends extending through the holes and the hook ends forming the U-shaped openings with the cross member; and the slide means being a rectangularshaped sleeve telescopically mounted on the cross member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the invention illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles is set forth in the following description and shown in the drawing and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the batter board construction in assembled position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the batter board construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation looking in the direction of arrows 33, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view with portions broken away of one end and the center portion of the batter board construction as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55, FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 66, FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7, FIG. 5.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The improved batter board construction is generally indicated at 1 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) and includes a horizontal cross member 2, a pair of vertical end posts 3, a pair of angle braces 4, and a slide member 5.

Cross member 2 is hollow having a rectangular crosssectional configuration as shown in FIG. 7 formed by top wall 6, bottom wall 7, and a pair of longitudinally extending front and rear vertical walls 8 and 9. A plurality of measurement indicating marks 41 are formed on the central portion of top wall 6 of member 2.

Each end of member 2 is formed with a pair of longitudinally aligned holes 10 and 11, and a pair of offset holes 12 and 13 in front wall 8, as shown in FIG. 5. Holes 12 and 13 preferably are located inwardly of holes 10 and 11. Three additional holes 14, 15 and 16 are formed in rear wall 9 aligned with holes 10, lland 12, respectively (FIG. 6).

A pair of J-shaped mounting bolts 17 and 18 having threaded 'shanks l9 and 20, respectively, extend through aligned holes 10-14 and 12-16, respectively,

(FIG. 4), functioning as brackets for adjustably mounting cross member 2 on posts 3 and braces 4. Hook ends 21 and 22 of bolts 17 and 18 extend partially into the interior of cross member 2 through openings 11 and 13 respectively, and form adjustable U-shaped openings 23 and 24 with front wall 8 for rigidly clamping posts 3 and braces 4 therein upon advancement of wing nuts 25 and 26.

A plug 27 is telescoped into each of the open ends of cross member 2 to prevent dirt from collecting within member 2 and interfering with the operation of bolts 17 and 18.

Slide 5 preferably has a rectangular, cross-sectional configuration formed by top and bottom walls 27 and 28, and front and rear walls 29 and 30, which is complementary to the shape and size of member 2. Slide 5 is telescoped on member 2 (FIG. 7) for sliding movement therealong.

A sight-tie pin 31 is welded to top wall 27 of slide 5 and extends vertically upwardly therefrom as shown in FIG. 5. Pin 31 includes a shank 32 terminating in an enlarged rounded head 33. Pin 31 functions both as a tie point for a flexible construction layout line 34 and as a sight point for a transit in laying out the foundation and walls of a building to be erected.

Locking means indicated at 35 is formed on rear wall 30 of slide 5, and preferably includes a nut 36 welded to wall 30, which aligns with an opening 37 formed therein. A locking bolt 38 is threadably engaged with nut 36, and when advanced extends through opening 37 into engagement with rear wall 9 of cross member 2 for locking slide 5 in an adjusted position. Bolt 38 has a square head 39 which when tightened preferably requires a tool such as a wrench, pliers, etc., to unloosen, thereby reducing tampering by children or unauthorized persons when installed on a job site.

In operation a plurality of batter boards 1 are taken to ajob site with two such batter boards being installed at right angles adjacent each comer of a proposed building. Vertical end posts 3 which are formed of rigid hardened metal, are inserted through U-shaped openings 23 of bolts 17 and then are driven into the ground 40. Cross member 2 is moved upwardly along posts 3 to a selected vertical position depending upon the construction site terrain and wing nuts 25 are tightened to clamp cross member 2 securely on posts 3.

Braces 4 are then inserted through U-shaped openings 24 of bolts 18 and extend in a direction downward and outward from cross member 2, and are driven into ground 40 at an approximate 60 angle. Braces 4 preferably intersect posts 3 forwardly thereof, that is in the direction of connected layout line 34, so that the tension exerted by line 34 tends to pull vertical posts 3 forwardly, wedging posts 3 against braces 4 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

The relative positions of posts 3 and braces 4 may be interchanged on cross member 2 if desired, whereby braces 4 are between the ends of cross member 2 and posts 3 and extend outwardly from cross member 2. In such position, braces 4 are more truely aligned and parallel with the longitudinal axis 42 of member 2 than when positioned inwardly of posts 3 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Slide 5 then is moved along cross member 2 to a desired position which is set by a transit using head 33 of pin 31 as a sight point. Locking means 35 then secures slide 5 in the correct position by advancing bolt 38 against rear wall 9 of cross member 2. Slide member 5 may be moved along cross member 2 a predetermined distance by use of graduation markings 41, should adjustments be needed, for example, in laying an additional course of brick, facing tile, etc., without affecting the batter board installation.

Batter board construction 1 in this assembled position provides a rigid construction for attaching flexible layout lines 34 to pin 31. Braces 4 which extend angu larly from cross member 2 and in an outwardly direction generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of member 2, provides reinforcing for member 2, greatly reducing any movement thereof in a longitudinal direction, which is critical and heretofore not provided by known batter board constructions.

The separation of sight-tie pin 31 from locking bolt 38 permits layout line 34 to be maintained tied to pin 31 and unaffected by the tightening and loosening of bolt 38 for adjustment of slide 5 along member 2, and without interfering with a transit sighting on pin head 33.

When batter board 1 is no longer required at a job site, bolts 17 and 18 are loosened enabling cross memher 2 to be lifted easily from posts 3 and braces 4, whereby posts 3 and braces 4 may be removed from their embedded positions without damaging any of the batter board components.

Batter board construction 1 has a number of advantages not present in known batter board constructions. Posts 3 and braces 4 are readily available, preferably cylindrical solid metal rods which can be of various diameters and hardness depending upon the soil condition into which they are to be driven. For example, short, hardened pointed posts 3 and braces 4 may be necessary when installing batter board 1 on existing blacktop, concrete or extremely hard, rocky soil. Whereas longer rods such as concrete reinforcing rods readily available at ajob site, may be used for installing batter board 1 in soft, muddy or sandy soil where posts 3 and braces 4 must be driven a considerable distance into the ground until firm soil is encountered. The hook ends of bolts 17 and 18 which form the U-shaped openings, in combination with the clamping action with cross member 2, permit rods of various diameters to be used for posts 3 and braces 4 without affecting the clamping action of bolts 17 and 18.

Another advantage of batter board 1 is the formation of the various elements such as cross member 2, bolts 17 and 18 and slide 5, of inexpensive, readily available material permitting easy replacement thereof, should any of the components become damaged, lost or misplaced. Cross member 2 preferably is formed of lightweight aluminum as is slide 5, thus permitting the easy handling and storage of a plurality of batter boards 1.

Cross member 2 also may be conveniently mounted on a driven wood stake by a spike or nail driven through aligned holes 11 and 15 into the stake, thereby eliminating the need of installing posts 3 and braces 4. Bolts 17 and 18 can remain installed on cross member 2 when nailed to such a stake with hook end 21 removed from hole 11, thereby eliminating loss and misplacement of bolts 17 and 18.

Bolts 17 and 18 which form the mounting brackets for posts 3 and braces 4 permit the components of battcr board 1 to be drawn up tight when initially installed. Wing nuts 26 are tightened after installation of braces 4 forcing braces 4 tightly against posts 3 providing a rigid assembly. Again the adjustability of bolts 18 provide advantages not present in known batter board constructions.

Accordingly, the improved batter board construction provides a rugged. inexpensive, durable, lightweight, combination of components heretofore unknown in the art for use in the laying out and securing offlexible construction lines at a job site; and provides a structure and arrangement which eliminates difficulties existingin the art, and which achieves the stated objectives and solves problems that have existed in the art.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of the construction shown or described.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the improved batter board construction is constructed, assembled and operated, the characteristics of the new construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

l claim:

1. A batter board construction including a hollow, tubular, rigid horizontal cross member having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration; slide means mounted on the cross member and adapted for adjustable sliding movement therealong; pin means mounted on the slide means and projecting vertically upwardly from said slide means and cross member, said pin means being a tie point for a flexible construction layout line and a reference sight point; locking bolt means mounted on the slide means and engageable with the cross member for locking the slide means in a selected adjusted position, said locking means being separate from the pin means; a pair of vertical end posts mounting the cross member in a horizontal position, and being adapted to be driven into the ground to support said cross member; a pair of angle braces extending downwardly outwardly from the ends of the cross member in a direction generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of said cross member, said angle braces being adapted to be driven into the ground to reduce longitudinal movement of the cross member; first and second pairs of bracket means adjustably connecting the vertical end posts and angle braces, respectively, to the cross member; the vertical end posts and angle braces being formed of metal and having a generally cylindrical shape; and the bracket means forming adjustable U-shaped openings through which said end posts and angle braces extend, whereby said bracket means may receive end posts and angle braces of various diameters.

2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the first and second bracket means are J-bolts, each having a threaded shank end and a hook end; and in which said hook ends form the adjustable U-shaped openings.

3. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the cross member has a pair of opposite, longitudinallyextending vertical walls; in which each end of the cross member is formed with a pair of longitudinally-spaced holes in one of said vertical walls; in which a third hole is formed in the other of said vertical walls aligned with one of said pair of longitudinally-spaced holes; in which the threaded shank of the first bracket means extends through said aligned holes; and in which the hook bracket end extends through the other hole of said longitudinally-spaced holes, with said hook end forming the adjustable U-shaped opening with said one vertical cross member wall.

4. The construction defined in claim 3 in which a fourth hole is formed in the other cross member vertical wall aligned with the other hole of the pair of longitudinally spaced holes forming a second pair of aligned holes, with said second pair of aligned holes being adapted to receive a nail therethrough for securing the cross member to a fixed object with the threaded shank remaining extended through said first pair of aligned holes and said hook bracket end being removed from said other hole of the longitudinally spaced holes.

5. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the slide means is a rectangular-shaped sleeve telescopically mounted on the cross member; in which the sleeve is formed with a threaded opening; and in which the locking bolt means includes a bolt threadably engaged in the sleeve opening and engageable with the cross member to clamp the sleeve in a selected position.

6. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the cross member has a longitudinally extending horizontal top wall; and in which a plurality of indicating marks are formed on said top wall.

7. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the cross member includes a longitudinally extending vertical front wall; in which said vertical posts and angle braces are engageable with said front wall; in which said angle braces are mounted inwardly of the vertical posts on the front wall; and in which the angle braces intersect the vertical end posts forwardly of the vertical posts whereby said angle braces retard forward transverse movement of the vertical posts due to the tension of a layout line.

8. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the angle braces form approximately 60 angles with the cross member and ground when in assembled position.

9. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the cross member has a longitudinally extending vertical front wall; in which a first pair of longitudinally spaced holes is formed in said front wall at each end of the cross member; and in which a second pair of offset holes is formed in said front wall inwardly of said longitudinally spaced holes at each end of the cross member. 

1. A batter board construction including a hollow, tubular, rigid horizontal cross member having a rectangular crosssectional configuration; slide means mounted on the cross member and adapted for adjustable sliding movement therealong; pin means mounted on the slide means and projecting vertically upwardly from said slide means and cross member, said pin means being a tie point for a flexible construction layout line and a reference sight point; locking bolt means mounted on the slide means and engageable with the cross member for locking the slide means in a selected adjusted position, said locking means being separate from the pin means; a pair of vertical end posTs mounting the cross member in a horizontal position, and being adapted to be driven into the ground to support said cross member; a pair of angle braces extending downwardly outwardly from the ends of the cross member in a direction generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of said cross member, said angle braces being adapted to be driven into the ground to reduce longitudinal movement of the cross member; first and second pairs of bracket means adjustably connecting the vertical end posts and angle braces, respectively, to the cross member; the vertical end posts and angle braces being formed of metal and having a generally cylindrical shape; and the bracket means forming adjustable Ushaped openings through which said end posts and angle braces extend, whereby said bracket means may receive end posts and angle braces of various diameters.
 2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the first and second bracket means are J-bolts, each having a threaded shank end and a hook end; and in which said hook ends form the adjustable U-shaped openings.
 3. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the cross member has a pair of opposite, longitudinally-extending vertical walls; in which each end of the cross member is formed with a pair of longitudinally-spaced holes in one of said vertical walls; in which a third hole is formed in the other of said vertical walls aligned with one of said pair of longitudinally-spaced holes; in which the threaded shank of the first bracket means extends through said aligned holes; and in which the hook bracket end extends through the other hole of said longitudinally-spaced holes, with said hook end forming the adjustable U-shaped opening with said one vertical cross member wall.
 4. The construction defined in claim 3 in which a fourth hole is formed in the other cross member vertical wall aligned with the other hole of the pair of longitudinally spaced holes forming a second pair of aligned holes, with said second pair of aligned holes being adapted to receive a nail therethrough for securing the cross member to a fixed object with the threaded shank remaining extended through said first pair of aligned holes and said hook bracket end being removed from said other hole of the longitudinally spaced holes.
 5. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the slide means is a rectangular-shaped sleeve telescopically mounted on the cross member; in which the sleeve is formed with a threaded opening; and in which the locking bolt means includes a bolt threadably engaged in the sleeve opening and engageable with the cross member to clamp the sleeve in a selected position.
 6. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the cross member has a longitudinally extending horizontal top wall; and in which a plurality of indicating marks are formed on said top wall.
 7. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the cross member includes a longitudinally extending vertical front wall; in which said vertical posts and angle braces are engageable with said front wall; in which said angle braces are mounted inwardly of the vertical posts on the front wall; and in which the angle braces intersect the vertical end posts forwardly of the vertical posts whereby said angle braces retard forward transverse movement of the vertical posts due to the tension of a layout line.
 8. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the angle braces form approximately 60* angles with the cross member and ground when in assembled position.
 9. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the cross member has a longitudinally extending vertical front wall; in which a first pair of longitudinally spaced holes is formed in said front wall at each end of the cross member; and in which a second pair of offset holes is formed in said front wall inwardly of said longitudinally spaced holes at each end of the cross member. 